Antibody Production for Research
Antibody production for research is a key component of drug discovery and development. These large Y-shaped proteins, belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily, play an essential role in the immune system by recognizing and binding to specific antigens, marking them for destruction or neutralization. Antibodies are extremely versatile, with a broad range of applications across biotechnology and healthcare. Eight of the top ten best-selling drugs in the world are antibodies.
Human antibody-based therapeutics have become increasingly popular due to their superior target specificity and lack of side effects compared with conventional drugs. However, the complex biology behind how the body naturally makes antibodies remains largely a mystery. A new study from the University of Washington and UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, however, may help solve this puzzle.
Antibody Production for Research: From Concept to Reality
Researchers discovered how to optimize the process of generating antibodies by manipulating their genetics. Plasma B cells, which are responsible for releasing antibodies into the bloodstream, were shown to secrete more of these proteins if their genes had a particular sequence. The team then used this knowledge to engineer antibodies to have the desired characteristics and injected them into healthy mice, which showed a significant increase in antibody secretion.
The resulting monoclonal antibodies were found to bind the target antigen with high affinity, but they exhibited minimal cross-reactivity to other antigens. This finding, along with improvements in antibody engineering techniques, have helped to accelerate the discovery of therapeutic antibodies for a wide range of diseases.…
Antibody Production for Research Read More